Fin tube unit with protective corner plastic rails



Feb. 20, 19% E. s. NELSQN 3,369,595

FIN TUBE UNIT WITH PROTECTIVE CORNER PLASTIC RAILS Filed March 31, 1966 FlG.i F162 I NVENTOR.

Elliof 8. Nelson.

ATTORNEY Unite Sts Madam...

ABSTRACT OF THE DKSCLGSURE This invention relates to a fin tube unit which comprises an elongated tube having a plurality of fins secured to the tube at spaced relationships longitudinally of the tube. Each fin is arranged so that its respective corner portions are disposed in alignment and a track of plastic mate-rial is provided to define a protective cover for the respective aligned corner portions of the fins. The respective tracks comprise angular members having angularly disposed leg portions defining therebetween an angle complementing the angle of the respective corners of the fins with means for adhesively securing the track to the corner portions of the fins.

This invention relates in general to a fin tube unit of a type which may be readily adapted for heating and/or cooling applications, but more commonly in baseboard radiation type heating installations.

This invention specifically is directed to an improved fin tube unit and protective track therefor of a kind disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,963,276.

Heretofore, and before the invention covered in US. Patent 2,963,276, considerable difiiculties had been encountered in the installation of fin tube units, such as employed for baseboard radiation applications due to the expansion and contraction thereof and of noise resulting therefrom. The difiiculties encountered were more aggravated in relatively long units in which a plurality of fin tube segments were required to be joined together.

Generally, each unit segment is comprised of an elongated tube of predetermined length on which a plurality of radiating fins were secured in longitudinally spaced relationship therealong. Support for such units was accomplished by simply resting the same on suitable support brackets spaced along the length thereof. Consequently, such units were supported with the metallic fin by resting in direct contact onto an arm portion of the bracket, which was also formed of metal. Consequently, during expansion and contraction of the fin tube unit, when placed in operation, resulted in a considerable amount of friction between the fin tube unit and the brackets on which the same was supported. As the fin tube unit and the brackets were formed of metallic material, the friction resulting therebetween due to the expansion and contraction of the fin tube unit resulted in a considerable amount of noise. Also, the expansion and contraction of the tube element relative to the fins connected there frequently caused some of the fins to loosen. When this occurred, the loosened fins would also create a further noise problem. The relative movement between the fin tube unit and the bracket supports further tended to damage or otherwise bend the marginal portions of the fins and thereby adversely affect the efiiciency and/or heat transfer characteristics thereof. Consequently, relatively expensive and complicated bracket constructions had been heretofore conceived in an effort to minimize the problems due to expansion and contraction of such fin tube units, and of the noise resulting therefrom. Also, the known relatively complicated supports not only increased the initial cost of such installations, but it also resulted in increasing the time, effort and cost of installing such units. I

To obviate these difiiculties, efiorts have been made to provide the corner portions of the fins in such units with a protective track to prohibit rattle between individual fins spaced along the tube, and for protecting the fin tube unit from damage due to relative movement between the fin tube unit and its support brackets due to expansion and contraction thereof when placed in operation. Such efforts, as set forth in Patent No. 2,963,276, utilized specially constructed fins and track means to accomplish the portions of the fins and at the same time tie the fins in a desired result whereby the problems noted were obviated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to further simplify the fin tube unit and track therefor whereby resulting noise due to expansion and contraction is minimized.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fin tube unit in which the track is secured to the aligned corner portions of the fins in a relatively simple, expedient, economic and positive manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fin tube unit in which the corner portions of the respective fins are protected and tied together in a relatively simple and expedient manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fin tube construction having an improved track construction which extends along the respective fins to form a continuous protective covering for the respective corner portions thereof in which the track element is shaped to complement the shape of the fin corners so that the track can be readily secured to the respective fins by adhesive bonding.

It is another object of this invention to adhesively secure a deformable track to the corner portions of the fins by a suitable adhesive bond.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a fin tube unit comprising an elongated tube having longitudinally spaced therealong a plurality of similarly constructed fins. More specifically, the fins are formed as regular shaped members in which the respective corner portions thereof are defined by adjacent edges disposed at fixed angles relative to each other. In accordance with this invention, an elongated track member formed of a flexible, and preferably non-metallic material is adhesively secured to the aligned corner portions of the respective fins.

In one form of the invention, the track comprises a member formed of a plastic strip having a pair of angularly disposed leg portions to define therebetween an angle complementing the fixed angle defined by the corner portions of the respective fins. The arrangement is such that the deformable strip or track is positioned with respect to the aligned corner portions of the fins so that the leg portions of the track embrace the adjacent edge portion of the fins at the corners. A suitable adhesive material or bonding agent is utilized to positively and adhesively secure the track to the corner portions of the respective fins of the fin tube unit.

In another form of the invention, the fin is provided with an inwardly and diagonally extending slot formed in each of the respective corner portions. Accordingly, the track is formed with an intermediate web portion adapted to be received in the notch in the respective corners of the fin. In this form of the invention, the adhesive bonding means or agent is utilized to secure the opposed surfaces of the web to the side edges of the slot in the corner portions of the respective fins of the fin tube unit.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a fin tube unit in whic the deformable track is utilized as being adhesively secured to the respective fins.

Another feature of this invention resides in the relative simplicity in which the deformable track is secured to the respective fins of the fin tube unit.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings in which,

FIGURE I is an end View of the improved fin tube unit and support therefor as constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a fin tube unit of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary corner portion of the fin and track construction to illustrate the connection of the track to the corner portion of the fin.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a modified corner and, track assembly.

Referring to the drawings, there is shOWn in FIGS. 1

and 2 a fin tube unit constructed in accordance with the fins 12 are shown as being substantially rectangular in shape.

The support for the fin tube unit 10 comprises generally of a bracket or element 13 which is spaced at regular intervals along a suitable supporting surface 14 such as a wall or the like. The brackets or supports 13 comprise essentially of a suitable backing member 13A by which it is secured to a wall 1.4,and which back member 13A has connected thereto a laterally extending arm portion 13B to form the base or support on which the fin tube unit 10 rests. A plurality of such supports or bracket members 13 are longitudinally spaced along a suitable wall 14 to provide the necessary means for supporting an elongated fin tube unit.

The respective fins 12 as illustrated are substantially rectangular in shape, and each is provided with a central opening 15 through which the tube length 11 is extended. As best seen in FIG. 2 a collar 16 circumscribes the central opening 15 of the fin. This collar 16 is formed so that the free end 16A thereof is flared outwardly .to permit the collar 16 to function as a stop or spacer against which the next adjacent fin 12 abuts. The collar 16 thus defines the means by which the spacing between adjacent fins 12 is maintained.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is to be noted that each of the respective corner portions of the fins 12 defines an angle formed by the adjacent sides. The corner angle of the fins illustrated is substantially 90. As shown in FIGS.

1 and 3, the fin construction comprises simply of a plane rectangular blank which is formed by a simple stamping and/ or drawing operation from blank of material.

In accordance with this invention, a track 17 comprising an elongated member is extended along the respective corner portions of the fins 12 spaced along the tube length 11 to provide a protective cover therefor. Also, the track 17 functions as a buffer or contact between the fin tube unit 10 and its supporting bracket 138 as best seen in FIG. 1.

The track member 17 is preferably formed of any suitable fiexible, and preferably non-metallic material, as for example a plastic strip or the like. In the illustrated form of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the track member 17 is formed as an angular member in which the respective leg portions 17A, 17B thereof are disposed at an angle shaped to complement the angle defined by the adjacent marginal edges of the fin 12 to which the track is fitted.

In the illustrated form of the invention of FIG. 3, it will be noted that the leg portions 17A, 17B of the track member17 are disposed at substantially with respect to one another. Also, it is to be noted that the respective leg portions 17A, 17B of the track member comprise a relatively flat surface which abuts against the adjacent marginal edge portions of the fin 12 at the corner thereof. The arrangement is such that in the assembled position, the leg portions 17A, 17B of the angle strip or track 17 is flush against the respective edge portions of the fins 12.

To effect a positive bond or connection between the track 17 and the respective .fins 12, a suitable adhesive as for example, an epoxy type binder or cement 18 is employed. Accordingly, the epoxy binder, cement or adhesive 18 is applied to either or both the corner portions of the fin 12 or to the inner surfaces, of the plastic strip 17 so that when the strip is applied to the corner portions of the fin and upon the setting of the epoxy or adhesive. there is created a permanent bond between the track and the corner portions of the respective fins. Thus, a relatively simple and positive connection is established between the plastic track 17 and the fins 12. With the con- I struction described, it wiil be noted that a relatively simple fin construction can be utilized in conjunction with a relatively simple track construction. Further, the attachmeat of the track 17 to the fins 12 is accomplished in a relatively simple manner. Once the epoxy or adhesive has set, the plastic strip or track 17 is positively secured to the corners of the fins. With the plastic strip or track 17 secured to the fins, the. fin tube unit 16 when supported on the brackets 13 will actually rest on the leg portions of the plastic track which lie against the bottom edges of the fins 12. Thus, a complete absence of metal-to-metal contact'is provided between the fin tube unit and the brackets supporting the same. As a result, a minimum of noise results during the expansion and contraction of the fin tube during operation.

Because the track further protects the corners of the fins, the track 17 prohibits the fins 12 from becoming bent or distorted. Also, the track 17 will functionto further silence or dampen any sound or noise which would otherwise result from'relative movement between the fins and tube in the event the expansion or contraction causes any of the fins to loosen.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, the fin construction 20 is substantially similar to that hereinbefore described with the exception that the corner portions of the fin is provided with a slot 21 which extends inwardly and diagonally of the fin. The track member 22 adapted to be secured to the fin construction 20 of FIG. 4, is similar to that described with respect. to FIG. 3 with the exception that a longitudinally extending web 23 is integrally formed intermediate the leg portions 22A, 22B of the track member 22. The web 23 thus bisects the angle defined by the respective leg portions 22A, 22B of the track 22. T he width of the web is'made slightly less than the width of the slot 21 defined in the corner portion of the fin so that the web 23 in the assembled position of the track is readily fitted into the slot of the fin. To effect a permanent bond between the track 22 and each of the respective fins of the modified embodiment, a suitable adhesive or epoxy binder 24 is utilized to effect a bond between the Web and the adjacent edges of the slot 21. Thus, the setting of the bond or epoxy will create a permanent attachment between the track 22 and the fin 26.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive or epoxy material 24 is applied to the web 23 of the track only. However, it will be readily understood that, if desired, that the undersurface of the respective leg memhers 22A, 22B of the track may be also coated with an epoxy or adhesive material so that the respective leg portions may also be bonded to the adjacent edge portions of the fin in the manner described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3.

In all other respects, the modification of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the application of the track member 17 or 22 to the respective corner portions of the fins 12 or 20 is relatively simple, expedient, and positive. Once the bond material has set, it will function to create a permanent attachment between the track and the respective fins.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications of the invention may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A fin tube unit comprising,

an elongated tube,

a plurality of fins secured to said tube at predetermined spaced intervals longitudinally of said tube comprising,

each of said fins having its respective corner portions disposed in alignment along said tube,

a track defining a cover for the respective aligned corner portions of said fins,

said track having angularly disposed leg portions defining therebetween an angle complementing the angle defined by the respective corners of said fins,

the aligned corner portions of said fins having an inwardly extending slot formed therein,

and said track including a web extending longitudinally thereof, said web being disposed between the angularly disposed leg portions of said track whereby said web is received in the slots when said track is positioned on said fins,

and means for adhesively securing said track to the fins whereby the respective leg portions of said track overlie the edges of said fins to form a protective covering therefor, said means for adhesively securing said track to said fins is disposed between the Web portion thereof and the edges of the slot in said fins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,767,605 6/1930 Modine 165-148 X 1,891,538 12/1932 Hicks 165-182 X 2,963,276 12/1960 Nelson 165-82 3,311,163 3/1967 Owen 165-55 3,258,066 6/1966 Becher et 31] 165-55 3,263,746 8/1966 Becher et al. 165-55 FOREIGN PATENTS 558,124 12/1943 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. A. W. DAVIS, IR., Assistant Examiner. 

